ONE man's battle with a council over his small deli bar is finally over after new conditions were attached to a decision to let him remain open.

For the last year, Barrowford man Ian Finch has faced the prospect of being forced out of business after he inadvertently opened his franchise of Puccino's in King William Street, Blackburn, without planning permission.

Councillors tried to close him down by refusing him planning permission on the grounds the unit should be retained for when a shop wants to open there.

That decision prompted a public outcry which included a 3,000-name petition and a deluge of letters to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, which led to the council saying they would re-consider the application.

His re-submitted planning application was finally approved last month, subject to conditions being attached. Those conditions include that it can only be used as a caf bar, and no other type of eating place or restaurant. Normally applications are approved for classes of business, such as a restaurant, rather than the type of restaurant.

The permission, uniquely, is also personal to Mr Finch, meaning if anyone else takes over, planning permission will have to be required for the business again. When planning permission is normally given, it is permanent and not specific to one owner.

Mr Finch said: "I am glad it is all over."